Florida Diary Part 2
We checked into another favourite - Banyan Tree Resort, it's close enough to all the action but it's beautiful tropical gardens and pool area make you feel like you are in a secluded paradise and there really is only a few rules of what to do....
The gorgeous Banyan Tree Resort - our room was on the first floor with the balcony. We also had a great view of the iguana lazing in the tree.
First stop was Fort Zachary Taylor. It's so nice to watch the boats go by and also the cruise ships coming into the harbour. I had a giggle watching people attempt to get in the sea through the notoriously rocky continental shelf. I've yet to see anyone manage it gracefully.
Next was Turtle Kralls Tower Bar at the marina which is great for a beer at sunset overlooking the bight. Then onto Alonzo's Oyster Bar, this time I opted for the Caribbean shrimp but I also love their coconut fried grouper. Having got burned at the beach we opted for a more shady day by the pool, which is handily located next to the tiki bar, cant beat a bud light lime or two.
Floating in the pool can build up an appetite so we went to Fogarty's for Baha fish tacos. I love them but they are mahoosive and I can never finish two.
Key West has some really cool examples of old Americana. The style of houses and the old tropic cinema being another example. In mallory square there is a fenced off square which has busts of notable key west residents. I don't think it is a graveyard but it has those vibes. It's quite cool if not a little creepy. I was drawn to Lena Johnson's statue because of her hat! She gave the boy scouts somewhere to meet and taught girls to bake, make candy and cultivate lasting friendships. In an era when women were not expected to work outside the home or marriage, Lena Johnson was able to support herself. She was also the first woman elected to a political office in Monroe County. I'm sure you can recognise Key West's most famous inhabitant, Ernest Hemingway.
The next day consisted of much the same. We decided to try Blue Macaw located further up Whitehead Street for dinner. It has a nice atmosphere and did another favourite the grouper sandwich Key West has a lot of live music which is another reason I love it and our final night we went to Smokin Tuna. We tried the conch fritters for starters as these are popular. They were nice and spicy but a little ...gristly?! The grilled mahi and mango salsa was good though. We also saw a fantastic singer called Roenin. She sang her own songs with a few covers thrown in but she could do fabulous impressions of other female singers. She said she had "36 voices' but did a very impressive rendition of Britney Spears, Cher, Celine Dion, Alanis Morrisette and Stevie Nicks. I highly recommend if you get the chance to see her. She had great stage presence and told highly amusing stories in between. It was so empty when she started it was like a private concert but it started to fill up quickly.
All too soon our Key West stay was over and it was back in the car and back up the coast.
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